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Authors: Topsy Baxter

Interrupted Romance (7 page)

BOOK: Interrupted Romance
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At last, the passengers began streaming through the exit.
 
Dafna looked in vain for Adam's tall figure.
 
She was getting a bit frantic, thinking that there had been a mistake and he wasn't on the flight after all, when finally she saw him walking slowly, being guided by one of the airport's staff.
 
He had been kept on board until the rush was out of the way, before they brought him out of the plane.
 
His baggage had been collected for him and he had been cleared by customs.

Dafna hurried forward.
 
The lady holding his arm saw her coming towards them with a welcoming smile on her face and guessed this was the lucky lady who was to meet him.
 
She murmured to Adam, "I think your young lady has found you Mr Lavan."

Adam held his breath and put his arms out in front of him.
 
Moments later, Dafna was in his arms, laughing up at him.
 
She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him with feeling.
 
They hugged each other tightly.
 
It was Adam who, remembering the airport lady, turned his head towards her and thanked her for looking after him.
 
He held out his hand and she shook it, saying, "That's OK Mr Lavan.
 
I can see you'll be in good hands now.
 
Have a pleasant stay in Australia."
 
With a nod in Dafna's direction, she turned away smiling and was lost in the crowd of people who were still milling around, greeting friends and relatives off the flight.

Dafna took Adam's arm and led him towards the exit.
 
Now that they were together again, she couldn't think of anything to say, but he seemed content to just be with her.
 
He took her hand from his arm and put it into his own hand, squeezing her fingers.
 
She walked close beside him, guiding him across the road to the car park.
 
He wheeled his luggage along behind him, holding the handle easily.
 
When they reached the car and Dafna had opened the boot, he lifted the heavy suitcase up so that she could help him put it in the car.
 
She opened the passenger door, drawing Adam forward towards it.
 
Before he bent down to sit in the car, he once again wrapped his arms around her, still holding one of her hands, so that she had one hand behind her back and one free to put around his neck.
 
He held her like that for some time, sighing in contentment, rocking her back and forth, cheek to cheek.
 

Then he whispered, "Thank you, Dafna."

She patted his cheek softly, made sure he sat down without hitting his head, closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.
 
In Israel, this would be the passenger's side, she thought.
 
Funny, but she hadn't experienced any trouble or frustration at changing from driving on the left to driving on the right, as in Israel.
 
Within minutes, she was comfortable on either side, whereas friends of hers never could make the adjustment.

Before starting the car, Dafna reached out and gently squeezed Adam's hand.
 
"Welcome to Australia, Adam," she said.
 

He turned towards her and smiled.
 
"
Toda raba
," he replied.
 
"Thank you very much, Dafna.
 
I'm so happy to be here."

The drive home took close to forty-five minutes and they talked about the distance, the flight, the people on the flight, the food, the sounds and the scents.
 
Adam was eager to be in Australia and not just because of the coming operation.
 
He had wanted to be with Dafna again.
 
Of that, he was certain.

Dafna parked the car in the garage beside the house.
 
Then she walked beside Adam as he pulled his case along, into the house.
 
She led him down the hall and into the spare room, which had been set aside for him.
 
She spent a few minutes guiding him around the simple furniture arrangement she had worked hard at developing.
 
Holding his hand, she guided him about the room, waiting while he felt the height and shape of furniture.
 
Before they left the room, she stopped in front of him, lightly holding his arms, reaching up on tiptoes to kiss him again.
 
He held her close and hard.
 
Dafna could feel the trembling in his body and knew it wasn't just emotion - but exhaustion mixed with fear of the unknown, the future.

She said, "Come and meet Mum."

They went looking for Mrs Zoreff.
 
They found her under the pergola with Mrs Bergman.
 
They were chatting away happily, when the young couple stepped off the verandah onto the lawn.
 
Both of them looked up and smiled at Adam.
 
He moved forward, prompted by Dafna as she said, "Mum, and Mrs Bergman, this is my friend and saviour, Adam Lavan from Israel.
 
Adam, say 'Hi' to my mother, on your left, and Mrs Bergman."
 

She guided him forward to where his outstretched hand could be held by the ladies, in turn.
 
He greeted them both very politely, smiling his beautiful smile.

"Mrs Zoreff, I am so pleased that you are allowing me to be here, in your house, while you are recovering yourself from illness.
 
Thank you so much."

"Young man, it's the least I could do for the person who pulled Dafna away from the blast.
 
And you are most welcome here.
 
I hope your operation is a success and that you regain your sight again soon."

"Thank you."

Mrs Bergman spoke, "Adam, when is your operation?"

Dafna answered for him, as he turned towards her with eyebrows raised, "In a few days.
 
Dr Feldman wants Adam to rest tomorrow and then he is to go into the hospital for a day of rest and observation.
 
I guess they'll examine him then and make their minds up as to how to go about fixing him."

She helped Adam to the bench, where he sat next to her mother.

Dafna said, "I'll leave you all to get acquainted while I make us a salad lunch.
 
Would anyone like a cool drink first?"

Everyone wanted a drink, so Dafna headed to the kitchen to prepare a tray with iced orange juice.
 
She left the tray with them and returned to the house.
 
From the kitchen window she could see them all talking comfortably together.
 
For a moment, she watched Adam's face.
 
He was tired.
 
There was strain in his expression, although he was laughing with the ladies about something Mrs Bergman had said.
 
Both he and her mother would be better off resting for the afternoon.
 
The sooner the lunch was over the better.
 
No doubt Adam would want to freshen up as well before lunch.
 
She should have shown him where the bathroom was!

Quickly she prepared the salad and placed the various dishes on the table, which was set in readiness.
 
Then she went out to collect Adam first and then her mother.

"Adam, would you like to freshen up before lunch?"
 
He nodded his thanks, and excused himself to the ladies.

Dafna guided him into the house and along the corridor to the bathroom.
 
She let him feel about the room, put a towel in his hands.

"What can I bring you from your luggage, Adam?
 
Shorts and a shirt, comb, what else…?"

"The clothes, please, with underwear.
 
My bath pack has everything else I need."

She returned shortly with the shorts, underwear and shirt, and the toiletry bag.

"Here they are, beside the shower, on this seat.
 
Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked with a smile in her voice.

Adam said, "Unless you want to scrub my back… no, thanks," and he, too, was grinning.

"OK.
 
When you want to come to the kitchen, just call me," she said.
 
She turned and left, closing the door behind her.
 
Soon she could hear the sound of the shower running.

Going back into the garden, she helped her mother to her feet, and between herself and Mrs Bergman, brought her into the house.
 
By the time the old ladies had settled at the table, with another cool drink, Adam had found his way down the hall, following the voices.

It was a merry group for lunch that day.
 
They lingered at the table over the wine.
 
Mrs Zoreff couldn't have any alcohol because of her medication, but she enjoyed the conversation and companionship.
 
Adam had managed to eat his meal, mainly with the help of his fingers and Dafna's assistance.
 
They contemplated how much longer he would need this type of help.

Both Mrs Bergman and Dafna's mother were tiring and decided to go and rest.
 
Dafna helped her mother to her room and onto the bed.
 
There was a pleasant breeze coming through the window, which was a relief from the heat of the day.

She went back to Adam who was leaning his elbows on the table and resting his head on one fist.
 
He looked worn out.

"Adam, I think you should go and lie down as well.
 
You look desperately weary."

"I think you're right.
 
I am now starting to feel the exhaustion.
 
Do you mind if I lie down?"

"Not at all.
 
I expected it.
 
Come on, I'll help you back to your room.
 
Hold your hand out and run it along the wall.
 
Is there anything I can bring you?"

"No.
 
I'm fine, thanks.
 
That lunch was great."

Dafna could smell the aftershave on his face.
 
She watched him as he found his way to the bed and sat down.
 
He pulled off his shirt and laid it on the foot of the bed.
 
He lay back against the pillows.
 
Dafna sat beside him, her hand resting on his chest.
 
Her fingers played with the dark hair curling there.

"I'll call you in about four hours.
 
If you sleep much longer than that, you won't sleep tonight."

She leaned across him and kissed him on the cheek.
 
He turned his head slightly, so that the second kiss was on his lips.
 
He put one hand behind her head, holding her there.
 
She pressed against him, eyes closed.
 
When he released her, she was the one trembling.
 
And it wasn't exhaustion.

Slowly, she stood up and turned towards the door.
 
Looking back from the doorway, she saw his eyes had already closed.

CHAPTER 9

The day arrived for Adam to go to the hospital.
 
Dafna took him to the admission desk, waiting while they processed Adam's details into the hospital system, and finally taking him to the appropriate floor where the sister-in-charge led him to his room.
 
He would be sharing with another man, also waiting for an eye operation.
 
They were introduced to each other, then the sister left, leaving Dafna to help Adam put away the few belongings he had brought to hospital.

There was nothing else to do but see him settled in, then Dafna needed to return to her mother.
 
They stood close together beside the bed, holding hands.
 
She knew he was feeling nervous and anxious about the whole procedure… as she was.
 
He would be examined by Dr Feldman later in the day and the operation was scheduled for the following day.

Dafna put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
 
His arms came around her firmly, holding her to his chest.
 
She let her arms go up around his neck as he continued to kiss her, with feeling, bending over her.

A voice came from the next bed, "Fair go, mate, I'm only blind in one eye, you know!"

Laughing, Dafna stepped back from Adam and turned to see his neighbour, Jack, grinning at her.
 
She moved Adam to the chair beside the bed, holding his hand.
 
With another quick kiss on Adam's lips, and a murmured " 'Bye, gentlemen" she walked towards the door.

Before she left, Dafna said, "See you soon, Adam.
 
I'll be here when you wake up tomorrow.
 
Good luck.
 
And to you, too, Jack!"

Jack waved cheerily and was already turning to talk to Adam as she left.

For the remainder of the day, Dafna was busy tending to her mother's needs.
 
As the day cooled down she was able to take the older woman out into the garden for a stroll among the flowers.
 
Her mother made her way over to sit on the bench under the pergola, advising Dafna where some weeding would need to be done when it was convenient.
 
She watched as Dafna watered the gardens and lawns.
 
The petunias would need to be pulled up soon and replacement plants put in their place.

Dafna was absent-mindedly listening to her mother, thinking instead of Adam and how he must be feeling at that time.
 
Would he see again?
 
Would at least one eye have sight restored?
 
His family would be wondering and worrying, too.

"… and I thought that would look nice, Dafna.
 
What do you think?" her mother was saying.

BOOK: Interrupted Romance
8.39Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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